Galaxy S25 Edge: Samsung goes to the edge – but leaves some things behind

Jerusalem Post/Consumerism

The Galaxy S25 Edge is one of the most impressive devices Samsung has ever created – extremely thin, incredibly light, and designed with a precision that feels like a technical showcase.

Galaxy S25 Edge(photo credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)ByWALLA! TECHJUNE 16, 2025 08:50

I admit, when Samsung announced the Galaxy S25 series in January, I no longer expected surprises. And then, just before the lights went out – came a very short teaser for a new device called the Galaxy S25 Edge. No specs, no promises, just a name, an ultra-thin design, and a well-timed air of mystery.

Immediately after the event, we were directed to a special booth set up in the center of the hall – there, behind a rope separating the audience from the coveted model, the device was displayed for the first time. It could be photographed from every angle, but not touched, not approached. Samsung didn’t say a word about it – but that silence made a lot of noise. It was clear to almost everyone that this was an ultra-thin device, even if deep down there was still hope that we’d get something more.

And as it turns out – that’s exactly what it is. Samsung didn’t innovate, didn’t reinvent – it simply beat Apple to the punch and joined the trend that’s trying to make thinness the story. Leaks about the iPhone 17 Air were already floating around, and Samsung wanted to get there first. Even when the same design reappeared at MWC, it remained silent – and that silence, at least for now, did the job.

And only last month, finally, came the official announcement. The Galaxy S25 Edge doesn’t fold, doesn’t roll, doesn’t break conventions – it’s just thin. 5.8 mm, to be exact. Now the only question left is: is that really enough? Is it worth NIS 4,399? And is all this packaging meant to conceal innovation – or hide its absence?

Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Yinon Ben Shushan)

Design

The Galaxy S25 Edge feels almost unreal in the hand. It’s the thinnest phone Samsung has ever made in the Galaxy series – just 5.8 mm, compared to 8.2 mm in the S25 Ultra. That means it’s about a third thinner. You feel it immediately, both in the pocket and in hand.

The weight is also significantly lower: only 163 grams, compared to 218 grams in the S25 Ultra. And yet, it feels solid rather than fragile. The frame is made of titanium, the screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, and the durability remains with an IP68 rating – just like the thicker, heavier models.

On paper, it’s impressive – and certainly a technological achievement. But despite all the stats, the overall feeling is less mesmerizing. It’s not the kind of design that leaves you speechless, like iconic devices did in the past – the original Motorola Razr, or the iPod Nano. There’s no visual revolution here, just focused engineering: making the smartphone as thin as possible without compromising hardware. And that, for now at least, has worked.

Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

But thinness isn’t everything. At some point, you also have to look at how the device actually looks – and here I must admit it’s less impressive. The Galaxy S25 Edge just looks like… another smartphone. Nothing about its appearance really stands out, surprises, or sparks curiosity. It’s the same design language we’ve known for years: straight frame, smooth back, two protruding cameras in the corner – a standard that has already become routine.

And some say, with a certain justification, that it simply looks like a copy of the iPhone 16 – just thinner. It’s hard to argue with that: the geometric lines, the camera layout and placement, the overly abstract language – it all feels very “Apple-esque,” but without the statement. As if Samsung checked every box needed to make it look premium and clean, but didn’t spend a moment thinking about how to make it look uniquely Samsung.

I’m not saying it’s ugly – it’s not. It’s just not interesting. And that’s fine. But for a device that’s trying to be the “big innovation” of the year, that’s a bit problematic. Sometimes, extreme minimalism doesn’t look sophisticated – it just feels empty.

Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

The Screen: As Samsung Does Best

If there’s one area where I really have no complaints – it’s the screen. The Galaxy S25 Edge comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display and QHD+ resolution – exactly the same display as in the S25 Plus. In other words, no upgrade over the bigger model, but no downgrade either – and that’s a good thing.

The screen is nearly bezel-less, with a small selfie camera that doesn’t interfere, and the overall feel is of a gorgeous panel. Just like Samsung knows how to make. The colors are sharp, viewing angles are wide, and there’s something almost “glowing” in how content looks – especially when it comes to HDR videos. I tried a 4K video on YouTube, and it looked nearly identical to the S25 Ultra.

In short – it might feel obvious when it comes to Samsung, but it’s still worth saying: the screen is just good. Really good. The kind you don’t need to explain – just look and understand.

 Performance

The Galaxy S25 Edge comes with the same flagship specs – Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, paired with 12 GB of RAM. That’s exactly what you get in the S25 Ultra, and it’s no joke: it’s one of the most powerful combinations currently available in a phone. On paper – it’s a performance beast.

But the truth? These days, it’s hard to be genuinely “impressed” by performance. Today’s smartphones are almost always fast, especially when new. It’s hard to know how the device will handle stress over time or intensive daily use. In the short time we had with the device – everything worked smoothly. Interface flowed, apps opened instantly, and everything felt tight and fast. Just as it should.

Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

Still, a legitimate question arises: all this happens inside an especially thin body, with all components packed inside. That raises a few concerns about heat. Samsung claims there’s an advanced vapor chamber cooling system designed to handle exactly that – especially for heavy uses like gaming. In practice, during our tests, it didn’t overheat too much – no more than other devices we tested recently. So at this stage, it doesn’t feel like a problem. Still, only time will tell if the cooling system truly maintains stability during prolonged use.

Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

Photography: Here You’ll Find a Small Compromise

In a way, Samsung presents the Galaxy S25 Edge as an alternative to the S25 Ultra – for those who want most of the flagship features, but without the size, weight, or S Pen. In reality, that also means some clear compromises – and one of them is right where it hurts: Zoom.

To view the images in full quality, click here.

On the one hand, the main camera here is the same as the Ultra’s – a powerful 200-megapixel sensor, sharp, with rich colors as expected. The ultra-wide camera (12 MP) also does the job, and even 4K video recording at 120 fps is an impressive addition not found in the cheaper models of the series. Image stabilization is excellent, colors are vibrant, and selfies? Look just like the rest of the S25 models – no worse.

Taken with Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

Taken with Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

Taken with Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

Taken with Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

Taken with Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

But – and it’s a big but – there’s no telephoto camera. No 3X, no 5X, not even a trace of a dedicated optical zoom lens. What you get is digital zoom up to 2X-4X, which looks decent as long as you don’t push it. Beyond that, quality drops off sharply. At 10X, images get smudged, details disappear, and everything feels forced. It feels like a real concession in a device that costs over NIS 4,000, especially when cheaper phones include basic telephoto lenses.

Portraits, for example, are only available at 1X or 2X – and lack the classic 3X look (equivalent to an 85 mm lens used for professional portraits). Anyone who enjoys photographing people will feel that absence almost immediately.

Bottom line? No surprises here. Anyone familiar with Samsung’s processing already knows what to expect – slightly oversaturated colors, occasional artificial sharpness, but a result that looks good on screen. Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that something is missing.

Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

Another Weak Spot – the Battery

At some point, we need to talk about the battery – and here, without sugarcoating, it’s a clear disappointment. The Galaxy S25 Edge comes with a 3,900 mAh battery. That’s little. Not “a little for a thin device,” not “relatively little” – just little, period. It’s not only low compared to other models, it’s also low in general for what’s expected from a modern flagship device.

You feel it. Even if not dramatically – the day ends more quickly. Those who take lots of photos, use navigation, stream videos, or even just scroll social media – will find the battery showing signs of fatigue before sunset. With very light use, yes, you can get through the day. But “very light use” is not how most of us use our phones.

The fact that Samsung managed to fit such specs into such a thin body is perhaps technically impressive – but that’s also the reason there’s no room left for a battery that can keep up. And that raises the simple question: how important is it really for the phone to be this thin, if it comes at the expense of the most basic thing – lasting the whole day without searching for a socket?

Galaxy S25 Edge (credit: Walla System / Yinon Ben Shushan)

The Bottom Line

It’s easy to love the Galaxy S25 Edge – but hard to truly recommend it without reservations (after all, the price tag here is NIS 4,399). It’s a phone that delivers exactly what it promises: it’s very thin, incredibly light, feels premium in hand, and is impressive from an engineering standpoint. It’s the thinnest phone currently sold – at least if you ignore the Tecno Spark Slim shown at MWC that didn’t really reach the market.

The screen is excellent, performance is flagship-level, the design is minimalist and elegant, and the One UI interface remains one of the strongest and most complete on Android. For some users – it’s exactly what they need.

But there are no miracles here. The battery is too small, there’s no telephoto camera, and living with this device requires conscious compromises. If you know what you’re getting into – if you really want a thin, light smartphone that turns heads – the S25 Edge is just right for you. But if you’re looking for a phone that “has your back” with no compromises, no charger in your bag, and no trade-offs – there are other devices that will suit you better. The S25 Edge isn’t for everyone. And it doesn’t try to be.

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